Mobile bonding unit



Dec. 13, 1955 T. TscHUDl 2,726,619

MOBILE BoNnING UNIT Filed Oct. 6, 1952 JNVENTOR. ggz-573 THAI/6077 scHUD/ United States Patent O ice MOBILE BONDING UNIT Trangott Tschudi, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application October 6, 1952, Serial No. 313,340

11 Claims. (Cl. 113-59) niques, such as those found in thechemical industries,

suitably bonded sheet products fashioned from selected metallic materials have been found particularly useful and practical. Thus, for example, in the textile industry where chemical materials such as vsulphuric acid and the like are commonly'handled, the yarn processing and treating apparatus is oftentimes preferably constructed from lead clad steel materials which .exhibit lthe high noncorrosive value of lead and the physical strength of steel.

In cladding a metallic surface with a suitable metallic substance having a relatively low melting point, however, considerable care and skill is ordinarily necessary. Thus in using lead, for example, the torch or flame must be temporarily applied to start the fusion process, then quicly removed before a hole is burned in the lead material, and finally reappliedwtih a whipping motion so as to properly fuse the lead upon `the metallic surface. Although various types of machines and apparatus have been devised heretofore to duplicate the movements of a skilled leadburner and ktoj thereby replace the customary manual operation, the structure of such apparatus has in the past been relatively involved and complex.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel an-d improved metallic bonding or cladding machine. I

It is a further object of the vpresent invention to provide a novel and improved metallic bonding land/ or cladding machine, the structure of whcih is reduced in size, weight and complexity.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description. 4

Inathe drawing which is illustrative of the present invention,'

Figure l is aside elevational view partly in section of/a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section along reference line II-II in Figuure l with parts including the carriage driving mechanism removed; and v' Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred arrangement of the electrical circuits of the control apparatus of the present invention.

In general, the improved bonding or fusing apparatus includes means for supporting a metallic Work surface which is to be clad or bonded with a suitable metallic substance, a heating element, and means including electrical control'elements for producing relative movement between the work surface supporting means and the heating element. It has been found that the relative movement'therebetween may be controlled by such apparatus lin a relatively simple and convenient manner.

A preferred embodiment of the structure of the appa- 2,726,619 Patentedl Dec. 13, 1955 ratus of the present invention is shown in Figures' 1 and 2 of the drawing. As illustrated therein the metallic work surface 3 together with the strip of fusible material 4 is positioned preferably as shown in the drawing on the supporting platfom or the like 5 in vany suitable manner. The I-bear'n or the like 6 which is preferably positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the platform 5 provides a means for suspending the carriage or the like 7 generally above the work area and for adjustably positioning it therealong. The brackets 8 which project laterally from an upper portion of the carriage housing 9 are preferably threadedly apertured as at 10 to receive and cooperate with the complementary threads of the double-ended bolt member 11 which includes a central hexagonal cross-section portion 12. The vertically disposed rods or the like 13 with their associated transverse rectangular head portions 14 which support the bolt member 11 and the carriage 7 between the stop members or the like 11a extend upwardly therefrom through the bores 15 in the associated frame members 16. Each of the rods 13 cooperate with an associated spring 17, a nut 18 and a washer 19 so that the carrier 7 is eifectively resiliently mounted upon the frame members 16 which, with their associated wheels or the like 20, are adapted to ride along the upper surface of the lower flanges of the I-beam 6. By so supporting the carriage 7 andthe torch assembly 21 on the frame members 16-it may be-conveniently shifted back and forth relative to the center line of the l-beam so as to evenly distribute the weight of the carriage between the frame members and to accurately adjust the position of the torch assembly with respect to the work surface 3. As is apparent, such an adjustment is made merely by properly rotating the hexagonal Shanks of the bolt members 11.

The torch assembly or the like 21 which as will be described more fully hereinafter is adjustably mounted on the carriage 7 and which may be of any suitable convenient design is preferably clampingly secured as shown between the curvilinear portions 22 and 23 of the clamping member 24. The socket elements 25 and 26 at the opposite extremity of the clamping member 24 are preferably adapted as shown to engage the enlarged spherical extremity of the non-magnetic shaft member 27 of the movable assembly 28. The bolt 29 and the associated wing nut 30 cooperate with the opposed curvilinear portions of the clamping member to provide a convenient means for loosening and tightening it in any desired position about the torch assembly 21 and/or the spherical extremity of the shaft member 27.

As shown in the drawing the torchassembly 21 pref- ,erably, though not necessarily, includes the additional torches 31 and-32 together with their associated clamp adjusting means which are generally designated by the reference characters 33 and 34 and which are secured to the non-magnetic-shaft or the like 27 in any suitable manner such as by the supporting rods 35 and 36, the sleeve members 37, and the set screws38.

The armature 39 which forms a part of the movable assembly 28 is preferably slidably positioned in the vertically disposed non-magnetic sleeve member 41 which is slidable relative to and extends upwardly from the slotted portion 41a of the carriage housing 9. As will be more apparent hereinafter lthe solenoid winding 46a which is positioned in its housing 46 is preferably wound about the periphery of the sleeve member 41 so as to control the vertical position of the armature 39 therein. The coil spring 44 is preferably positioned about the shaft 27 between the enlarged armature 39 and the apertured cap 45 which threadedly engages the lower portion of the sleeve 41. In this way as will also be more apparent hereinafter the armature 39 together with the attached torch assembly is normally biased toward its uppermost position in the sleeve 41 where, if desired, a suitable stop or the like not shown on the drawing may engage a prtion of the vertically adjustable structure.

Similarly the armature members or projections 40a and 40b which extend outwardly from the lateral periphery of the solenoid housing 46 are adapted to be slidably positioned in the non-magnetic bearing members or ways 42 and 43 which extend inwardly from opposite lateral walls of the carriage housing arid about which the solenoid windings 42a and 43a are wound as shown. The horizontally disposed rod or second way 47 which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the armature members 40a and 40b between opposite lateral walls of the carriage housing extends through an aperture or bore 48 in the solenoid housing 46 helps support the movable assembly in the carriage housing, and prevents its rotation about the projections 40a and 40b therein. Coil springs 49 and 50, which are positioned about opposite extremities of the rod or way 47 between the lateral protrusions 51 and 52 of the solenoid housing 46 and the adjustable bracket members 75 and 76 on the shaft 77, are adapted to normally centrally position the assembly 28 on the rod 47 and control its movement therealong. Accordingly upon rotation of the shaft by means of the knob or the like 78 the right and left hand threaded portions thereof cause simultaneous movement of the bracket members toward or away from one another and thereby respectively increase or decrease the bias of the coil springs 49 and 50 and restrict or augment the relativelateral movement of the assembly on energization of the associated solenoids 42a and 43a.

The shaft or the like 53 which is fxedly mounted in the carriage housing on a line which is substantially at right angles with the longitudinal axis of the I-beam 6 is adapted to rotatably support the driving reel or roll 54 which extends through the aperture 55 in the upper surface of the carriage housing and which frictionally engages the lower surface of the lower flanged portion ofthe I-beam member.

Any suitable one-way clutch` mechanism or the like such as that generally designated at` 56 may 'be' employed to propel the carriage 7 along the I-beam member. Accordingly the vertically disposed non-magnetic shaft 56a together with the magnetic armature 57 which is secured to and aligned with the lower extremity thereof is preferably positioned as shown in the non-magnetic sleeve member 58 about which the solenoid 58a is positioned. The lever 59 which is pivotably secured to the shaft 56a as at 60 is adapted to cause the ratchet wheel 61 which is integral with Athe lever 59, to oscillate as the shaft reciprocates vertically in the sleeve 58. The pawl member 62 which is preferably pivoted as shown on the roll or the like 54 causes such roll to rotate intermittently in a given direction about its axis with each upward stroke of the shaft 56a and as will be more apparent hereinafter thereby causes the carriage 7 toV move at a predetermined rate along the I-beam 6. As will be more apparent hereinafter the coil spring 63 which connects the upper extremity of the shaft 56a with` the tension adjusting screw 64 controls and regulates the stroke of the shaft 56a and the forward movement ofthe carriage along the beam.

The constant speed rotary driving` means such as the electric motor or the like 66` is also preferably positioned in the carriagehousing 9 and asrshown in Figure 3 of the drawing automatically controls the energization of the various solenoid windings 42a, 43a, 46a,land 58a. More specifically as the armature and the extended shaft of the motor 66 continuously rotate the suitably designed cam members 67, 68,469, 'and 70 cyclically engageY and close the associated contacts 71, 72,73, and 74. i As will be more apparent hereinafter, the4 various solenoidgwindings are in this way automatically energized ina predetermined manner through obvious energizing circuits. As shown, any suitable switch controlvrneans such as that designated at 75 may be employed to connect and disconneet the constant speed motor 66 with a suitable energizing source.

In operation the metallic cladding machine of the present invention is first accurately and properly positioned with respect to the work piece and the strip of fusible material 4. Accordingly, the carriage 7 is properly located on the supporting I-beam 6 and the various other adjustments such as the wing nut adjustment on the clamping member 24 and the hexagonal bolt adjustment from the carriage 6 are accurately set. The switch 75 starting the constant speed motor 66 is then closed and the various torches of the torch assembly 21 are lit by the operator. As the armature of the motor 66 rotates at a constant rate the cams 67, 68, 69, and 70 connected therewith cause the associated switches 71, 72, 73, and 74 to close successively in a predetermined manner. More specifically cam 69 closes the contact 73 to energize the solenoid 46a and move the torch assembly vertically and downwardly a predetermined amount toward the work area. Cam 67 then engages the contact 71 so as to ener gize the solenoid 42a and move the torch assembly up laterally (to the right as shown in Figure 2) across the work area, cam 69v then permits contact 73 to be reopened de-energizing solenoid 46a so as to cause the biasing spring 44 to move the assembly vertically and upwardly away from the work area. Cam 68 then engages and closes contact 72 to energize the solenoid 43a and move the assembly laterally (to the left as shown in Figure 2) above the work area. Thereafter the cams and their associated contacts continuously follow similar cycles simultaneously with the energization of solenoid 43a on alternate cycles. Simultaneously with the energization of the solenoid 43a on alternate cycles however, the cam 70 engages and closes the contact 74 so as to energize the solenoid 58a and rotate the roll 54 together with the carriage 7 a predetermined amount along the I-beam 6. In this way it is to be noted that the desired manual movements of the skilled leadburner are automatically duplicated in a relatively simple and convenient manner.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, the description is intended to be illustrative only and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Metallic bonding apparatus comprising a work surface support member; an elongated beam positioned above and substantially parallel to the support member; a carriage assembly positioned on and movable along the elongated member; a non-magnetic sleeve vertically positioned in the carriage; a solenoid winding wound about the periphery of the sleeve; an armature positioned in the sleeve; a torch assembly connected to and depending downwardly from the lower extremity of the armature toward the work surface support member; means for upwardly biasing the torch assembly; a pair of eletromagnetically sensitive protrusions connected to the sleeve and extendingY diametrically outwardly and laterally therefrom; non-magnetic` bearing members mounted on the inner periphery of the carriage which surround the protrusions and permit a sliding lateral movement of the sleeve, armature and the torch assembly; solenoid windings positioned about the periphery of the bearing members; means in the carriage for sequentially energizing the solenoid windings in a predetermined manner so as to impart controlled relative movement between the torch assembly andA the work surface support member; and means for advancing the carriage along the elongated beam, at a PIdetermined rate,

2. Metallic bonding apparatus comprising a work surface support member;Y an elongated beam positioned above and substantially parallel to the support member, a carriage assembly positioned on and movable along theV elongated` beam; a nonfmagnetic sleeve. vertically positioned in the carriage; a solenoid winding wound about the periphery of the sleeve; an armature positioned in the sleeve; means for normally biasing the armature toward an uppermost position in the sleeve; a torch assembly connected to and depending downwardly from the lower extremity of the amature toward the work surface support member; a pair of electromagnetically sensitive protrusions connected to the sleeve extending outwardly and diametrically therefrom; non-magnetic bearing members mounted in the interior of the carriage which surround the protrusions and permit a sliding lateral movement of thel sleeve, the armature and the torch assembly; solenoid windings positioned about the periphery of the bearing members; means in the carriage for sequentially energizing the said solenoid windings in a predetermined manner so as to impart controlled movement between the torch assembly and the work surface support member; and means for advancing the carriage along the elongated beam at a predetermined rate.

3. Metallic bonding apparatus comprising a work surface support member; an elongated beam positioned above and substantially parallel to the support mem- Vber, a carriage assembly positioned on and movable along the elongated beam; a non-magnetic sleeve vertically positioned in the carriage; a solenoid winding wound about the periphery of the sleeve; an armature positioned in the sleeve; means for normally biasing the armature toward an uppermost position in the sleeve; a torch assembly connected to and depending downwardly from the lower extremity of the armature toward the work surface support member; a pair of electromagnetically sensitive protrusions connected to the sleeve extending diametrically outwardly and laterally therefrom; non-magnetic bearing members mounted in the interior of the carriage which surround the protrusions and permit a sliding lateral movement of the sleeve, the armature and the torch assembly; solenoid windings positioned about the periphery of the bearing members; a constant-speed electric motor mounted in the carriage; a cam shaft driven by said motor; cam actuated switches responsive to rotation of said cam shaft for closing energizing circuits to said solenoid windings in a predetermined sequence; and means for advancing the carriage along the elongated beam at a predetermined rate.

4. Metallic bonding apparatus comprising a work surface support member, an elongated beam positioned above and substantially parallel to the support member, a carriage assembly positioned on and movable along the elongated beam, a non-magnetic sleeve vertically positioned in the carriage, a solenoid winding positioned .about the periphery of the sleeve, an armature positioned in the sleeve, means for normally biasing the armature toward an uppermost position in the sleeve, a torch assembly connected to and depending downwardly from the lower extremity of the armature toward the work surface support member, a pair of electromagnetically sensitive protrusions connected to the sleeve extending diametrically outwardly and laterally therefrom, non-magnetic bearing members mounted in the interior of the carriage which surround the protrusions and permit a sliding lateral movement of the sleeve, the armature and the torch assembly, solenoid windings positioned about the periphery of the bearing members, a rotary element positioned in the carriage and extending through a slotted portion in the upper surface of the carriage to frictionally engage 'the' lower surface of the elongated beam, a one-way clutch operatively connected to said rotary element, a lever for actuating said clutch, an armature connected to said lever, a solenoid winding for actuating said armature to turn the rotary element and move the carriage assembly on the beam, a constant speed electric motor mounted in the carriage, and a plurality of cams secured to the armature of the motor for energizing said solenoid windings in a predetermined sequence.

5. In lead-burning apparatus, a unitary movable carriage assembly comprising a housing, horizontal ways supported in the housing, a torch-carrying assembly slidable on said ways, means for mounting the torch-carrying assembly on said ways for reciprocating lateral sliding movement, atleast one electromagnet operatively as,- sociated with the torch-carrying assembly for moving the assembly on said ways in one direction, resilient means for moving the assembly on the ways in the opposite direction, means in the housing for selectively energizing said electromagnet to slide said torch-carrying assembly on the Ways, a torch-supporting plunger vertically reciprocable in said torch-carrying assembly, a second electromagnet carried by the torch-carrying assembly operatively associated with the plunger to pull the plunger downwardly, means for upwardly biasing the plunger, means in the housing for selectively energizing said second electromagnet to vertically reciprocate the plunger with respect to the torch-carrying assembly,` a driving member journaled in the housing for moving the entire carriage, a one-way clutch connected to said driving member, an armature operatively connected to said one-way clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said armature, and means in the housing for selectively energizing said last-named electromagnet to impart unidirectional movement to the driving member.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the energizing means for the electromagnets comprises a constant speed electric motor mounted in the carriage, and a cam actuated switch driven by said motor for sequentially closing energizing circuits to said electromagnets.

7. In lead-burning apparatus, a unitary movable carriage assembly comprising a housing, horizontal ways supported in the housing, a torch-carrying assembly mounted on said ways for reciprocating sliding movement, two electromagnets disposed diametrically on opposite sides of said torch-carrying assembly for reciprocating the assembly horizontally, means in the housing for sequentially energizing said electromagnets to slide said torch-carrying assembly back and forth on the ways, a torch-supporting plunger vertically reciprocable in said torch-carrying assembly, an electromagnet carried by the torch-carrying assembly operatively associated with the plunger, means in the housing for sequentially energizing said last-named electromagnet to pull the plunger downwardly with respect to the torch-carrying assembly, means for upwardly biasing the plunger, said last-named energizing and biasing means producing vertical reciprocating movement of the plunger in the torch-carrying assembly, a driving member journaled in the housing for moving the entire carriage, a oneway clutch connected to said driving member, an armature operatively connected to said one-way clutch, an electromagnet for actuating said armature, and means in the housing for selectively energizing said last-named electromagnet to impart unidirectional movement to the driving member.

8. In lead-burning apparatus, a unitary movable carriage assembly comprising a housing, horizontal ways supported in the housing, a torch-carrying assembly mounted on said ways for reciprocating sliding movement, two electromagnets disposed diametrically on opposite sides of said torch-carrying assembly for reciprocating the assembly horizontally, means in the housing for sequentially energizing said electromagnets to slide said torch-carrying assembly on the ways, means mounted in the carriage for biasing the torch-carrying assembly towards a central position between the electromagnets, a torch-supporting plunger vertically reciprocable in said torch-carrying assembly, an electromagnet carried by the torch-carrying assembly operatively associated with the plunger, means in the housing for sequentially energizing said last-named electromagnet to pull the plunger downwardly with respect to the torch-carrying assembly,

means for upwardly biasing the plunger, said last-named energizing and biasing means producing vertical reeipro eating movement of the plunger in the torch-carrying assembly, a driving member journaled in the housing for moving the entire carriage, a one-way clutch connected to said driving member, an armature operatively connected to -said one-way clutch, an eleetromagnet for actuating said armature, and means in the housing for selectively energizing said last-named electromagnet to impart unidirectional movement to the driving member.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim S in which the electromagnets for horizontally moving the torchcarryi'ng assembly surround the Ways.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 having a second set of ways on which the torch-carrying assembly is slidable to prevent pivoting of the torch-carrying assembly with respect to the carriage.

A8 1,1. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which the, biasing means comprises; a pair of helical compression springs surrounding said second ways.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,477,538 Carter et. al. Dec. 18, 1923 1,508,701V Kramer -..c Sept. 16, 1 924 1,740,033 Pinckney 7--- Dec. 17, 1929 1,751,077 DArdenne et al. Mar. 18,` 1930 2,030,689 Donat Feb. 11, 1936 2,274,742. Ronay Mar. 3, 1942 2,403,221 Howard u.. July 2, 1946 2,524,896 Downing 1..- Oct. 10, 1950 2,605,732 Anderson ,-g--- Aug. 5, 1952 

1. METALLIC BONDING APPARATUS COMPRISING A WORK SURFACE SUPPORT MEMBER; AN ELONGATED BEAM POSITIONED ABOVE AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SUPPORT MEMBER; A CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY POSITIONED ON AND MOVABLE ALONG THE ELONGATED MEMBER; A NON-MAGNETIC SLEEVE VERTICALLY POSITIONED IN THE VARRIAGE; A SOLENOID WINDING WOUND ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF THE SLEEVE; AN ARMATURE POSITIONED IN THE SLEEVE; A TORCH ASSEMBLY CONNECTED TO AND DEPENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF THE ARMATURE TOWARD THE WORK SURFACE SUPPORT MEMBER; MEANS FOR UIPWARDLY BIASING THE TORCH ASSEMBLY; A PAIR OF ELECTROMAGNETICALLY SENSITIVE PROTRUISIONS CONNECTED TO THE SLEEVE AND EXTENDING DIAMETRICALLY OUTWARDLY AND LATERALLY THEREFROM; NON-MAGNETIC BEARING MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE INNER PERIPHERY OF THE CARRIAGE WHICH SURROUND THE PROTRUSIONS AND PERMIT A SLIDING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE SLEEVE, ARMATURE AND THE TORCH ASSEMBLY; SOLENOID WINDING POSITIONED ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF THE BEARING MEMBERS; MEANS IN THE CARRIAGE FOR SEQUENTIALLY ENERGIZING THE SOLENOID WINDINGS IN A PREDETERMINED MANNER SO AS TO IMPART CONTROLLED RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE TORCH ASSEMBLY AND THE WORK SURFACE SUPPORT MEMBER; AND MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE CARRIAGE ALONG THE ELONGATED BEAM AT A PREDETERMINED RATE.
 5. IN LEAD-BURINING APPARATUS, A UNITARY MOVABLE CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A HOUSING, HORIZONTAL WAYS SUPPORTED IN THE HOUSING, A TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY SLIDABLE ON SAID WAYS, MEANS FOR MOUNTING THE TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY ON SAID WAYS FOR RECIPROCATING LATERAL SLIDING MOVEMENT, AT LEAST ONE ELECTROMAGNET OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING THE ASSEMBLY ON SAID WAYS IN ONE DIRECTION, RESILIENT MEANS FOR MOVING THE ASSEMBLY ON THE WAYS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MEANS IN THE HOUSING FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID ELECTROMAGNET TO SLIDE SAID TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY ON THE WAYS, A TORCH SUPPORTING PLUNGER VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE IN SAID TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY, A SECOND ELECTROMAGNET CARRIED BY THE TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLUNGER TO PULL THE PLUNGER DOWNWARDLY, MEANS FOR UPWARDLY BIASING THE PLUNGE, MEANS IN THE HOUSING FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID SECOND ELECTROMAGNET TO VERTICALLY RECIPROCATE THE PLUNGER WITH RESPECT TO THE TORCH-CARRYING ASSEMBLY, A DRIVING MEMBER JOURNALED IN THE HOUSING FOR MOVING THE ENTIRE CARRIAGE, A ONE-WAY CLUTCH CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVING MEMBER, AN ARMATURE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ONE-WAY CLUTCH, AN ELECTROMAGNET FOR ACTUATING SAID ARMATURE, AND MEANS IN THE HOUSING FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID LAST-NAMED ELECTROMAGNET TO IMPART UNIDIREACTIONAL MOVEMENT TO THE DRIVING MEMBER. 